The Crucial Step in Closet Decluttering

One of the most important steps in #decluttering a #closet is to actually get rid of the things you no longer want, says organization guru Andrea Dekker. Once you’ve done the hard work of #sorting, #purging and #organizing, don’t backpedal on your decisions or fail to remove unwanted #clothing items from your home; you could easily reconsider your decisions and reintroduce those ill-fitting pants or that garish sweater to your shelves, creating #clutter. “Please, if you’re putting in the work to #organize your closet, FINISH THE JOB,” Dekker says. Schedule a free, #contactless #donation pickup with ClothingDonations.org, and everything will be whisked away quickly.

Ruthless Ways to Declutter a Clothes Closet

If you want to get ruthless in #decluttering your #closet, set a maximum number of hangers or limits on how many of which category of garment you will keep, says Simple Lionheart Life. You can track garment usage to ensure that only your favorites stay in rotation by turning the hangers in your closet around; after you wear an item, put it back hanging the right way. Any garments still hanging backward at the end of the season can likely be #donated. Or for a more immediate #purge, imagine yourself wearing each item of clothing or outfit when you run into an old friend or acquaintance — would you look and feel your best at that moment?

Start Decluttering With a Single Closet

Don’t make #decluttering into an insurmountable task — start with just one #closet. Pull everything out and sort it into #keep, #trash and #donate piles. Clothing you enjoy wearing regularly are easy keepers, while items that are too damaged, stained or stretched-out can go directly in the trash. What goes in the #donate bag is a little more nuanced: Maybe an item doesn’t fit, never worked as part of your personal style, or was part of a too-small “goal” outfit that now only inspires anxiety, CNET says. Send those #garments to ClothingDonations.org immediately, set a new goal and reward yourself with a new outfit when you achieve it.

Donations Equal Deductions

When you donate used clothing and household items to ClothingDonations.org, the Internal Revenue Service allows you to deduct the fair market value (FMV) of the items on your income tax return. FMV is the amount you can reasonably expect people to pay for used clothes and other items in secondhand stores; tax preparation software programs such as TurboTax can help ascribe a value to many common items.

Make Way for Your Spring Wardrobe!

After long, cold winter months, it’s easy to tear into your shorts and T-shirts at the first sign of spring. But, before you pack away those thick coats and sweaters, and exchange your boots for flats and flip-flops, stop. Spring days, and even summer evenings, can be chilly so you want to avoid packing away all of your sweatshirts and cardigans too soon.

So, how do you manage a closet that basically has four seasons of outfits in it? First, you need to determine what you wear and what you don’t. How long has it been since you wore that sweater? What about the fashion scarves that haven’t been outside of your closet in a while? Do you really need four winter coats, or is there one you don’t wear anymore?

The first rule of helping your different seasonal items coexist in your closet is to ask yourself these questions. If an article of clothing doesn’t fit, or you haven’t worn it in months (or years!), then it’s time to get rid of it in order to make room for clothes you actually wear. Better yet, if these items of clothing are in good shape, don’t throw them away. Donate them to ClothingDonations.org! Visit our website to schedule a donation pickup time. Then, put your clothes in a bag or box marked “for donation, ” and place the bag by your mailbox. We’ll drive by to pick it up for you!

Have you already donated clothes from your closet but are still struggling to find space? Look for alternative storage ideas! We suggest looking for storage options that fit under your bed. Thin, Rubbermaid containers for sweaters or shoe organizers that can fit in small spaces are great for making your closet feel less cramped, while also keeping your belongings organized and out of sight.